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Archived News from March 2011

DAY OUT FOR THE SEASON / TAMWORTH PREVIEWS
12th March 2011 21:44


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VIDEO: Tyrone Thompson, Tom Naylor and Duncan Russell are speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham's David Jackson.

http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~2306854,00.html

Rhys Day out for rest of the season
mansfieldtown.net, Thu 03 Mar 2011
Manager Duncan Russell has revealed that central defender Rhys Day requires surgery on a knee problem which will sideline him for the remainder of the season.

The 28-year-old former Oxford defender's injury almost certainly pre-dates his October arrival at Field Mill and has only come to the Gaffer's attention recently after witnessing Day experiencing pain and discomfort in training.

After seeking further medical advice, 'Russ' can now confirm that the former Welsh U21 international will go under the knife sometime next week and therefore will not be able to add to the nine appearances he has made this season.

Said 'Russ': "He's had a problem with his knee previous to coming to the club. Jason (Truscott) made me aware of it but I did not realise that he had that major problem.

"It was a thing that was spoken about by Rhys Day and my predecessor (David Holdsworth) and then I noticed that after certain games he couldn't train the next day and was having pain in his knee.

"I got the physio to make sure that he monitored it but after a few weeks I noticed that he was still struggling with it. I spoke with the physio again and said 'let's get him checked out and scanned again' so we knew where we stood with him.

"The scan showed that he has scarring on his patella tendon (kneecap) so he's going into hospital next week to have a procedure done. If we were to carry on then we would only have a 50% fit Rhys Day so its in the interests of the football club to get Rhys in, operated on and rehabilitated for next season."

The Gaffer has also stressed the importance of striving towards a top five finish this season regardless of whether we are successful in our application to the Football Conference to extend the deadline, which elapsed on Tuesday, handed to us to secure a 10 lease on Field Mill in order to be eligible for a place in the Football League.

He added: "It's not pointless (finishing in the top five) to me because you've still got to prove that you're good enough for the league above. If legally we can't go up then we can't go up but I would still like to say that we've gone on a run of games and proved that if we get a 10 year lease, we are a football club that's serious and wants to play in the next division.

"We'll keep them (the players) motivated and informed about what's going on because its important to them and their families but I'm not going to put my hands up and say that its pointless trying to get into the Play-Offs.

"The good thing is that we're still in the FA Trophy and players are going to want to be involved in that so I won't allow them to lower the mark at all."

On the FA Trophy, central midfielder Tyrone Thompson was disappointed not to wrap up our FA Trophy Quarter Final tie with Chasetown midweek but was confident of progressing further on the road to Wembley.

He said: "We had numerous chances (at Chasetown), their 'keeper played very well on the night and unfortunately we didn't get the goals to push us straight through so we've got to go again now.

"It's a cup game and we will be confidant going into that game. At the end of the day we look to win every game and we've got a job to finish off at our place.

"It's a massive incentive for everybody. We want to be in the Semi Final and we want to go to Wembley. It's not just massive for the players but also for the club and the fans.

"It's been such an up and down season and we've got to give the fans something back. That's the least we can do."

Meanwhile, Tom Naylor added: "We've got games coming thick and fast and it's (needing a replay against Chasetown) not ideal but that's how it is in football.

"I thought we defended well all game really and its flukes that have cost us. The second one was a mistake from Grof but we all make mistakes and we need move on from there on Tuesday night.

"I will try my best to keep the goals out and a clean sheet and I will be delighted if we get to Wembley because I'm a young lad and a local lad."

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Day out for the rest of the season
chad.co.uk, Thu Mar 03 2011

STAGS' centre half Rhys Day looks to be out for the season after a scan revealed he needs a knee operation.

http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-fc/day_out_for_the_rest_of_the_season_1_3139869

It would seem Day had the problem when he rejoined his old club in mid-October but it is has now reached a point where something needs to be done about it.

“Rhys has had this problem since before my predecessor brought him to the club,” said Russell.

“It wasn't something I was aware of initially, but Rhys was having to miss more and more training after playing games and was feeling the pain in his knee.

“We decided to get it scanned and there was a tear there and some scarring on the tendon over the kneecap.

“If he carries on we only have a 50 per cent fit Rhys Day which we can't afford with how many games we have on our run-in.

“The best thing, in the interests of the football club, is to operate now and get him to Lilleshall for rehabilitation to get it right for the end of the season or pre-season.

“It is frustrating for Rhys, frustrating for us and frustrating for the fans.”

With Day out, Stags will recall Mark Preece from his loan spell at Telford at the end of his month

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Mansfield Town defender ruled out for rest of season with knee injury
Evening Post, 3 Mar 2011

RHYS Day is likely to miss the rest of Mansfield Town's season, boss Duncan Russell confirmed today.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/mansfieldtown/mansfieldtownnews/Mansfield-Town-defender-ruled-rest-season-knee-injury/article-3291125-detail/article.html?

The central defender has endured recurring knee trouble since joining the Stags from Oxford United.

And with periods of rest failing to cure the problem, the Welshman is set to go under the surgeon's knife on Tuesday.

"Rhys has some scaring tissue in the patella tendon in his knee and might have to have that removed and he also has a problem with his meniscus cartilage," said Russell.

"They are problems he had previous to him coming to club that was spoken about between Rhys my predecessor and the chairman.

"The physio Jason (Truscott) made me aware if it and I noticed after certain games he couldn't train and was getting pain.

"He has been struggling for a few weeks so we have decided to get him checked out and then that this is the best way to go.

"It's frustrating for us and for Rhys because he is a major part of the team.

"But if he had carried on playing he would only have been 50% fit and we can't afford that in the run of fixtures we have coming up.

"Fingers crossed it will go okay and then he can go for rehabilitation before the end of the season so that he can get right for pre-season and then next season."

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Stags winger Adam Smith seeks talks over his future
Evening Post, 3 Mar 2011

ADAM Smith today denied he has asked to be put on the transfer list at Mansfield Town – but will ask manager Duncan Russell for reassurances over his future.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/mansfieldtown/Stags-winger-seeks-talks-future/article-3288534-detail/article.html

The winger was angered at no reason being given for his exclusion from Tuesday's starting line-up at Chasetown, where the Stags drew their FA Trophy quarter-final tie 2-2.

Smith had come off the bench to score twice in Mansfield's previous league game as they came from 2-0 down to earn a 2-2 draw at Barrow.

Despite his dissatisfaction, the 26-year-old – who signed a contract extension just after the turn of the year – insists rumours he has demanded a move are wide of the mark.

"Some of the supporters at Chasetown were asking me why I was not starting the game, but I couldn't tell them because I have not been told myself," said Smith.

"I was upset because I came on the game before and scored two goals to change it when we looked like losing.

"Whenever I have been left out of the side by previous managers they have always explained their decision.

"I signed a long-term contract because I want to be playing and, with Duffers (Rob Duffy) and Keigan (Parker) going, there is uncertainty too.

"I heard fans say I have asked to leave. I want to make it clear that is not right."

Mansfield's game against Grimsby, moved from next Tuesday because of the Chasetown FA Trophy replay, is now on Tuesday April 19

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Russell: Mansfield Town will never give up on season
Evening Post, 4 Mar 2011

DUNCAN Russell will not allow his players to coast through the rest of the season – even if off-the-field events eventually dictate they have nothing to play for.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Russell-Mansfield-Town-season/article-3292681-detail/article.html?

The Stags have dropped to 14th in the table, meaning only an amazing run will sweep them into the Blue Square Bet Premier play-off places.

But the club would also need to secure a ten-year lease on a ground, Field Mill or otherwise, to be eligible for promotion.

They did not have that in place by the cut-off date of March 1, but are currently seeking an extension to the deadline.

Russell insists the Stags will keep going until the last game at Bath City, whatever the events of the next few weeks.

"I'm not going to say the season would be pointless if we don't resolve the ground issue, I never would," said Russell.

"We have to carry on and prove we are a side worthy of being promoted back into the league this season or next.

"We have to show we can put together a serious run and I won't allow the players to slacken off at any point."

Alan Marriott got his first taste of action with Mansfield's first team for four months on Tuesday as substitute goalkeeper for Mansfield's 2-2 FA Trophy draw with Chasetown.

But despite David Grof's handling error, which saw the Stags concede a late leveller, Russell refuses to rush him back.

He said: "We will have chat with Alan after training ahead of the Tamworth game, but Jason (Truscott, physio) says he is not 100% yet.

"The worst thing we can do is throw him in and he gets injured again and be out for the rest of the season.

"We will not risk starting him if we have any doubts."

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Russell set to turn to forgotten man Preece for Mansfield Town's run-in
Evening Post, 4 Mar 2011

FORGOTTEN man Mark Preece could yet play an important part in the final stages of Mansfield Town's season.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Russell-set-turn-forgotten-man-Preece-Mansfield-Town-s-run/article-3292558-detail/article.html?

The central defender had high hopes of being first choice when he signed from Forest Green Rovers last summer.

But after picking up an injury in pre-season and finding himself down the pecking order, he has yet to start a competitive game for the Stags.

The 23-year-old was loaned out to near-neighbours Eastwood Town before Christmas only to suffer a knee injury that needed an operation.

Preece, 23, has since recovered and been sent out on loan to Telford United, bossed by former England international Andy Sinton.

But with Rhys Day set to go under the surgeon's knife on Tuesday – and likely to be ruled out for the rest of the season– the Bristol-born player is set to come back into contention.

"Mark is out on loan until the end of the month at Telford, but he will be getting called back after that," said Russell. "I have spoken to Andy Sinton about him and he has done really well.

"He has lost weight and he is a lot fitter than when he first came here.

"When we sent Mark out on loan we thought Rhys would be OK, but that has proven not to be the case."

Day's operation will see him have treatment on scarring in the patella tendon of his knee and also a damaged meniscus cartilage

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Spotlight on Tamworth v Mansfield Town
Evening Post, 4 Mar 2011

Tamworth (from): L. Mitchell, Tait, Courtney, Wylde, Barrow, Sheridan, D. Bradley, Smith, Wilkinson, Thomas, Perry, MacKenzie, J. Bradley, A. Mitchell, Christie, Kamara.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Spotlight-Tamworth-v-Mansfield-Town/article-3292568-detail/article.html?

Team news: Tamworth are likely to be without Aaron Farrell, who has a hamstring problem.

The Lambs expect to field the same team that beat Kettering 3-1 on Wednesday night, with former Stag Kyle Perry among the scorers.

Mansfield (from): Grof, Marriott, Silk, Naylor, Sandwith, Foster, Stonehouse, Briscoe, Istead, Thompson, Murray, Nix, Briscoe, Smith, Connor, Moult, Mitchley.

Team news: Mansfield will definitely be without Rhys Day, who will undergo knee surgery on Tuesday.

But Paul Stonehouse is likely to be back available after coming off in Tuesday's 2-2 draw against Chasetown with a facial injury.

One to watch: Danny Thomas. The pacey left-winger has been a consistent handful for Blue Square Bet Premier defences this season. Sets up a good number of Tamworth's goals and has also weighed in with eight goals.

Manager: Des Lyttle. The former Nottingham Forest defender stepped up from the assistant's role after Gary Mills left to take over York City in mid-October

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Honest MacKenzie hoping clash against old club will give him a new start
thisistamworth.co.uk, 4 Mar 2011

LAMBS midfielder Neil MacKenzie is desperate to play some part in Tamworth's clash with his former club Mansfield this weekend.

http://www.thisistamworth.co.uk/tamworthfc/Honest-MacKenzie-hoping-clash-old-club-new-start/article-3287149-detail/article.html?

MacKenzie lost his place in the starting line-up for the recent games against Barrow and Forest Green.

But he hopes to prove his worth if given the chance this weekend against a Stags side for whom he played more than 70 games between 2002-04.

"You always want to play against your former clubs and I'd love to start against Mansfield," said MacKenzie.

"I had some great times at Mansfield, probably my happiest in football.

"I look out for their results all the time and, away from Tamworth, they are my favourite club.

"But my loyalties will certainly be with Tamworth on Saturday and I'm itching to play and put one over them."

He added: "All I can do is work hard in training and try to impress the gaffer (Des Lyttle)."

He admitted: "I can't complain about losing my place in the side. Des gave me a chance when Gary Mills left but, in the few games, my performances haven't been up to speed.

"You can't expect to stay in the side if you don't perform but I need to knuckle down and try to persuade him to give me another chance.

"I need to find some form in training and get my confidence back.

"I have proven doubters wrong all through my career and I'll be looking to do the same again in the last few weeks of the season."

MacKenzie, pictured right, gave new goalkeeper Liam Mitchell the thumbs up despite the keeper's tough debut.

Mitchell conceded four times as the Lambs crashed to a heavy defeat at Forest Green but MacKenzie, watching from the bench, said: "I thought Liam made some good saves.

"You can't blame him for the defeat. The ten men in front of the keeper need to give more protection.

"Liam looks a good lad, to be honest. He has a good pedigree and I think he will do well for us."

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